There were several upkeep and maintenance things on my New Year to do list, including such items as put the car in for a service, visit the dental hygienist, get my eyes checked and this week I ticked off another one which was a complimentary NHS health check for women over a certain age.

Along with the normal weight and height measurements the nurse took a tape measure to my waist and I was surprised to see the result didn't fall into the 'green' or 'optimum' parameters. Whilst I'm otherwise fit and healthy my natural shape is more cylindrical or 'column' therefore my waist measurement is never going to compete with that of Victoria Beckhams.

Of course it's used as an indicator of potential health issues but the check didn't take my natural shape into consideration and it made me think of the great British high street and the ongoing antiquity of clothes sizing in stores. There have been many recent articles about how in one shop you can be a size 10 and in another shop you'll be a size 14.

Every brand has a 'core' customer profile and will then design and buy for that fictional person. A core brands demographic will usually dictate the measurements the head office go by meaning that unless you are loyal to just one brand you will find size differentials across the fashion sector.

That is why I tell Wardrobe Wand clients to ignore size when trying a new store or brand. Try on several sizes and what fits fits irrespective of what the size is on the label. Shop for your shape not your 'size'.